Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Patent number: 10564331
    Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting having a structured layer of cube corner elements and an at least one optically variable mark therein, and methods of making same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bruce D. Orensteen, Kathryn M. Spurgeon, Olester Benson, Jr., Joseph V. Crimando
  • Patent number: 10563030
    Abstract: There is provided a barrier film including a barrier layer having two opposing major surfaces, a first organic layer in direct contact with one of the opposing major surfaces of the barrier layer; a second organic layer in direct contact with the other of the opposing major surfaces of the barrier layer; and a substrate in direct contact with the first organic layer or the second organic layer; wherein the barrier layer comprises buckling deformations with average spacing smaller than average spacing of the buckling deformations in the first or second organic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gotrik, Christopher S. Lyons, Gerald S. Deeb, Peihui Zhang, Ronald P. Swanson
  • Publication number: 20200046871
    Abstract: Provided is a medical article with improved moisture vapor transmission rate of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer with a miscible composition. The medical article has a backing, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer with acid-functional groups or basic-functional groups, an MVTR-modifying composition that is basic when the PSA comprises an acidic-functional group or is acidic when the PSA comprises a basic-functional group, and a filtration layer disposed between the MVTR-modifying layer and the PSA layer. The MVTR-modifying composition is miscible with the PSA, and contact between the MVTR-modifying composition and the PSA causes an acid-base reaction to form a poly-salt and increase moisture permeability of at least a portion of the PSA layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: DAVID R. HOLM, DONG-WEI ZHU
  • Patent number: 10557031
    Abstract: A composition includes an amorphous fluoropolymer having at least one of: a segment represented by formula I: —CF(Rf)—(CX2)n—(CX2CXR)m—O—R?fOk—(CXR?CX2)p—(CX2)q—CF(R?f)— (I); or a terminal segment represented by formula III: Rf—CF(I)—(CX2)n—(CX2CXR)m—O—R?fOk—(CXR?CX2)p—(CX2)q—CF(R?f)— (III), and fluoroplastic particles having a mean particle size of less than 500 nanometers. Each X is independently F, H, or Cl; Rf and R?f are each independently F or a monovalent perfluoroalkyl having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R is F or a partially fluorinated or perfluorinated alkyl having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R?f is a divalent fluoroalkylene having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or a divalent fluorinated alkylene ether having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and at least one ether linkage; k is 0 or 1; and n, m, p, and q are each independently an integer from 0 to 5, with the proviso that when k is 0, n+m is at least 1 and p+q is at least 1. A method of making the composition is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Tamon Aoki, Allen M. Sohlo, Yuta Suzuki, Kai H. Lochhaas, Florian D. Jochum, Klaus Hintzer, Tilman C. Zipplies
  • Patent number: 10555889
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions that include at least about 85 wt % of a hydroalcoholic solution that includes at least about 1 wt % water; and about 30 to about 85 wt % of at least one C1 to C4 alkyl alcohol based on the total weight of the hydroalcoholic solution; and acrylate copolymer particles dispersed in the hydroalcoholic solution, the acrylate copolymers particles being the reaction product of a reaction mixture, the reaction mixture including monomers, the monomers including from about 5 wt % to about 50 wt % of at least one high Tg monomer; and from about 20 w % to about 80 wt % of at least one low Tg monomer where the wt % of the low and high Tg monomers are with respect to the total weight of the monomers in the reaction mixture, wherein the particles have a number average diameter of at least about 100 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ranjani V. Parthasarathy, Ramesh C. Kumar, Matthew T. Scholz, Steven P. Swanson, Erin A. Satterwhite
  • Patent number: 10556323
    Abstract: A nonwoven abrasive article includes a lofty open nonwoven fiber web comprising entangled fibers; and abrasive platelets secured to the entangled fibers by at least one binder material. A majority of the abrasive platelets are respectively bonded in an edge-wise manner to at least one of the entangled fibers. Methods of making the nonwoven abrasive article and converted forms, including a convolute abrasive wheel, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robinette S. Alkhas, Ronald D. Apple, Louis S. Moren
  • Patent number: 10556220
    Abstract: Provided are media cartridges that have adjustable bypasses, and systems and methods that use them. Aspects include an adjustable bypass filter cartridge where a treated stream and an adjusted non-treated stream combine prior to post-filtration and the percentage or ratio of treated the and the non-treated water is adjustable at the time of installation from the outside of the filter cartridge with a known or predictable level of bypass. Media cartridges comprise: an inlet in fluid communication with a feed chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with a mixing compartment; a media compartment containing a media; a bypass port in fluid communication with the feed chamber and the mixing compartment. Such cartridges can be adjusted to meet the needs of a wide variety of end uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Donald L. McGibbon, Laurence W. Bassett
  • Patent number: 10557973
    Abstract: Brightness enhancing films with embedded diffusers are described. More specifically, films including a birefringent substrate, a prismatic layer carried by the substrate having linear prisms, and an embedded structured surface disposed between the substrate and the prismatic layer are disclosed. The embedded structured surface may include closely-packed structures. Processes for producing embedded structured surfaces having particular topographies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary T. Boyd, Steven H. Kong, Tri D. Pham, Qingbing Wang
  • Patent number: 10556316
    Abstract: A polishing system includes a first carrier assembly configured to receive and hold a substrate and a polishing pad. The polishing pad includes a top major surface and a bottom major surface positioned opposite the top major surface, and a plurality of polishing elements extending from the top major surface of the polishing pad. The system further includes a polishing solution disposed between the top surface of the polishing pad and the substrate. The polishing fluid includes a fluid component, and a plurality of ceramic abrasive composites dispersed in the fluid component, the ceramic abrasive composites including individual abrasive particles dispersed in a porous ceramic matrix. The system further includes a second carrier assembly configured to receive and hold the polishing pad. The system is configured such that the polishing pad is movable relative to the substrate to carry out a polishing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul S. Lugg, Bruce A. Sventek, Lian S. Tan
  • Patent number: 10557069
    Abstract: A working fluid that includes a fluorinated olefin compound represented by the following general formula (I):
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Bulinski, Michael G. Costello, John G. Owens, Michael J. Rice
  • Patent number: 10556991
    Abstract: A resin blend is provided including a blend of a benzoxazine resin and a phthalonitrile resin. The benzoxazine/phthalonitrile resin blends prior to cure have more favorable processing and curing properties compared to the phthalonitrile resins alone, enabling greater ease in manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Anderson, Gregory P. Sorenson, Ilya Gorodisher
  • Patent number: 10556857
    Abstract: Presently describes are hydrazide (e.g. dihydrazide) compounds suitable for use as a nucleating agent for a polylactic acid (“PLA”) polymer. Also described are articles such as a film or fiber comprising the semicrystalline polylactic acid polymer and a nucleating agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nathan E. Schultz, Liming Song, Fuming B. Li
  • Patent number: 10557995
    Abstract: An optical connector includes a first attachment area for receiving and permanently attaching to an optical waveguide. A light coupling unit is disposed and configured to move translationally and not rotationally within the housing of the connector. The light coupling unit includes a second attachment area for receiving and permanently attaching to an optical waveguide received and permanently attached at the first attachment area. The light coupling unit also includes light redirecting surface. The light redirecting surface is configured such that when an optical waveguide is received and permanently attached at the first and second attachment areas, the light redirecting surface receives and redirects light from the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide limits, but does not prevent, a movement of the light coupling unit within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Terry L. Smith, Barry S. Carpenter, Takayuki Hayauchi
  • Patent number: 10557055
    Abstract: Conformable coating composition are described comprising a (meth)acrylate copolymer comprising interpolymerized monomer units of fluorinated monomer and a volatile solvent having a solubility parameter from 4.9-12.5 (cal/cm3)1/2. In some embodiments, the fluorinated monomer has a Tg <30° C. In some embodiments, the dried coating exhibits no blocking and no greater than 75% failure at an elongation of 100%. Also described is a conformable film comprising a dried coating composition of the coating compositions described herein, articles comprising a layer of the conformable film on a substrate, and a copolymer comprising interpolymerized units of fluorinated monomer(s), silane monomer(s); and one or more monomers having a Tg ?50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Asmus, Hae-Seung Lee, Dong-Wei Zhu
  • Patent number: 10557976
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Michael Benton Free, Bimal V. Thakkar, Raymond C. Chiu
  • Publication number: 20200041335
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a light detection device and a method of using such device are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the light detection device can include a housing including a top surface and a bottom surface, where the housing extends along a housing axis between the top surface and the bottom surface; and a support member connected to the housing and adapted to be selectively moved from a closed position to an open position. The support member is further adapted to maintain the light detection device in an upright position when the bottom surface and the support member are in contact with a working surface and the support member is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: FUSU THAO, GIUSEPPE M. BOMMARITO, THOMAS E. DEWEY, JR., KATHLEEN M. STENERSEN, BETH A. FRITCHER, STEPHEN R. ALEXANDER, PHILLIP A. BOLEA, MICHELE A. WALDNER
  • Publication number: 20200038546
    Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a fibrinogen hydrogel composition, the method including providing a fibrinogen hydrogel or precursor thereof, comprising fibrinogen hydrogel forming salt. The fibrinogen hydrogel forming salt concentration is greater than or equal to the threshold concentration to form a fibrinogen hydrogel. The method further includes denaturing the fibrinogen hydrogel such as by heating. The method optionally further includes combining the fibrinogen hydrogel with a carrier material. When present, the concentration of the carrier material typically ranges from 0.1 to about 50 wt.-%. The method further includes reducing the salt concentration below the threshold concentration to form a fibrinogen hydrogel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: JAMES P. DIZIO, ZHICHENG TIAN, JASON W. BJORK, AMY S. DETERMAN, ROBERT A. ASMUS, JONATHAN J. O'HARE
  • Patent number: D875107
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nicolas A. Echeverri, Alexandra N. Geller
  • Patent number: D875321
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Linus P. Bastman, Emil R. Eriksson, Johan M. P. Hansson, Marcus T. R. Wiederkehr
  • Patent number: D875910
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott A. Clear, Michael S. Schuffert